{"id":"hospitals-act-1927","name":"Hospitals Act 1927","slug":"hospitals-act-1927","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":30729,"registerId":"wa-hospitals-act-1927-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Hospitals Act 1927","content":"![Crest]()Western Australia\n\nPrivate Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927\n\nWestern Australia\n\nPrivate Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927\n\nContents\n\nPart I — Preliminary\n\n1. Short title 2\n\n2. Terms used 2\n\n3. Application of Act 3\n\n4. Application of Act to hospitals where mentally ill treated 4\n\nPart II — Administration\n\n5. Minister to control general administration 5\n\n7A. Minister’s powers 5\n\n10. Visiting and inspecting private hospitals 5\n\n11. Obstructing visits etc. under s. 10, offence 6\n\nPart IIIA — Private hospitals\n\n26A. Terms used 8\n\n26B. Licence to conduct private hospital 8\n\n26C. Premises to be approved etc. before licence granted 9\n\n26D. Licence, grant and conditions of etc. 10\n\n26DA. Private hospital not to treat etc. mentally ill unless licence endorsed 11\n\n26E. Licence, duration and renewal of etc. 12\n\n26F. Licence, cancelling etc. 12\n\n26FA. Endorsement under s. 26DA, cancelling 13\n\n26G. CEO may close private hospital 13\n\n26H. State Administrative Tribunal may review decisions under s. 26F and 26FA 14\n\n26I. Grants and subsidies by State to private hospitals 15\n\n26J. Guidelines for construction etc. of private hospitals 15\n\n26K. Offences 16\n\n26L. Failure to comply with licence conditions 17\n\n26M. Liability of officers for offence by body corporate 17\n\n26N. Application for licence and licence, forms of 18\n\n26O. Regulations 18\n\nPart IIIB — Private psychiatric hostels\n\n26P. Term used: resident 20\n\n26Q. Part IIIA, with modifications, applies to private psychiatric hostels 20\n\nPart IIIC — Information\n\n26R. Purpose for collecting, using or disclosing information 22\n\n26S. CEO may direct private hospital service provider to give information 22\n\n26T. No liability for disclosure 23\n\nPart IV — General\n\n35A. Protection from personal liability 24\n\n37. Regulations 25\n\n38. Review of Act 26\n\nNotes\n\nCompilation table 27\n\nOther notes 32\n\nDefined terms\n\n  \n\nWestern Australia\n\nPrivate Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927\n\nAn Act to provide for the control and regulation of private hospitals and private psychiatric hostels and for related purposes.\n\n[Long title inserted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 260.]\n\n## Part I — Preliminary\n\n##### 1. Short title\n\nThis is the *Private Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927*.\n\n[Section 1 inserted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 261.]\n\n##### 2. Terms used\n\n(1) In this Act, subject to the context —\n\n  CEO has the meaning given by section 3 of the *Health Legislation Administration Act 1984*;\n\nChief Psychiatrist has the meaning given in the *Mental Health Act 2014* section 4;\n\n  Department means the department of the Public Service of the State principally assisting the Minister in the administration of this Act;\n\nhealth service has the meaning given in the *Health Services Act 2016* section 7;\n\nhospital has the meaning given in the *Health Services Act 2016* section 8;\n\nmedical practitioner means a person registered under the *Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia)* in the medical profession;\n\nmental illness has the meaning given in the *Mental Health Act 2014* section 4;\n\n  nursing home means premises in which persons who do not require constant medical attention are received as patients and lodged for the purpose of medical supervision and nursing care but does not include any premises declared by the Minister under section 3 not to be a nursing home for the purposes of this Act;\n\n  private hospital means a hospital that is not a public hospital;\n\nprivate hospital service provider means the holder of a licence granted under this Act to conduct a private hospital or a private psychiatric hostel;\n\n  private non‑profit hospital means a private hospital which is maintained by a religious or charitable organization and is not carried on for the purpose of private gain;\n\nprivate psychiatric hostel means private premises in which 3 or more persons who —\n\n(a) are socially dependent because of mental illness; and\n\n(b) are not members of the family of the proprietor of the premises,\n\nreside and are treated or cared for;\n\npublic hospital has the meaning given in the *Health Services Act 2016* section 8(6) and —\n\n(a) includes a hospital declared to be a public hospital under the *Health Services Act 2016* section 8(7); and\n\n(b) does not include a hospital declared not to be a public hospital under the *Health Services Act 2016* section 8(8).\n\n(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other Act, the making or giving of a grant or subsidy to a private hospital under this Act does not affect the status of the hospital as a private hospital.\n\n[Section 2 inserted: No. 33 of 1972 s. 5; amended: No. 71 of 1976 s. 2; No. 85 of 1983 s. 3; No. 28 of 1984 s. 49; No. 53 of 1985 s. 15; No. 103 of 1994 s. 6 and 15; No. 14 of 1996 s. 4; No. 69 of 1996 s. 41; No. 61 of 2004 s. 12; No. 28 of 2006 s. 263; No. 22 of 2008 Sch. 3 cl. 27; No. 35 of 2010 s. 93; No. 25 of 2014 s. 26; No. 11 of 2016 s. 262; No. 19 of 2016 s. 183.]\n\n##### 3. Application of Act\n\n(1) This Act applies to any private hospital howsoever founded or maintained (whether wholly or partly by or under governmental authority or otherwise), but does not apply to a hospital used exclusively in connection with a prison.\n\n[(2) deleted]\n\n(3) The Minister may by notice published in the *Gazette* declare that any institution is not a nursing home for the purposes of this Act.\n\n[Section 3 inserted: No. 33 of 1972 s. 6; amended: No. 28 of 1984 s. 50; No. 53 of 1985 s. 16; No. 49 of 1994 s. 4; No. 69 of 1996 s. 42; No. 11 of 2016 s. 263.]\n\n##### 4. Application of Act to hospitals where mentally ill treated\n\nWhere a private hospital or part of a private hospital is an authorised hospital under the *Mental Health Act 2014*, this Act has effect in relation to the hospital or part of the hospital, and persons received or admitted into it, subject to the provisions of that Act.\n\n[Section 4 inserted: No. 69 of 1996 s. 43; amended: No. 25 of 2014 s. 27; No. 11 of 2016 s. 264.]\n\n## Part II — Administration\n\n##### 5. Minister to control general administration\n\nThe general administration of this Act shall be under the control of the Minister.\n\n[**5A.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 265.]\n\n[**6.** Deleted: No. 28 of 1984 s. 51.]\n\n[**6A.** Deleted: No. 71 of 1976 s. 3.]\n\n[**7.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 265.]\n\n##### 7A. Minister’s powers\n\nThe Minister has power —\n\n(a) with the approval of the Treasurer, to make payments to or on behalf of any religious or charitable organisation for the purpose of defraying the interest on moneys borrowed by that organisation and expended or intended to be expended by that organisation on a project approved by the Minister in connection with a private non‑profit hospital or nursing home maintained by that organisation; and\n\n(b) to make payments by way of subsidy in respect of patients who are unable to afford the payment of reasonable fees.\n\n[Section 7A inserted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 266.]\n\n[**7B-9.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 267.]\n\n##### 10. Visiting and inspecting private hospitals\n\n(1) Any person authorised by the CEO for that purpose may —\n\n(a) visit any private hospital; and\n\n(b) inspect every part of any private hospital, including any outbuildings or premises attached to the private hospital; and\n\n(c) subject to subsection (2) if the person is a medical practitioner, medically examine any patient in any hospital.\n\n(2) Where a patient is a patient in a private hospital the following provisions apply in respect of an examination under subsection (1)(c) —\n\n(a) an examination must not be made except on complaint to the CEO; and\n\n(b) the patient’s medical practitioner must be notified of the intention of the authorised person to examine the patient and given an opportunity to be present at the examination; and\n\n(c) the person who is the licence holder under Part IIIA in relation to the hospital in which the patient is accommodated must be notified of the intention to conduct the examination.\n\n[Section 10 inserted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 268.]\n\n##### 11. Obstructing visits etc. under s. 10, offence\n\nNo person shall —\n\n(a) obstruct any person authorised under section 10 in the performance of his duties; or\n\n(b) wilfully mislead any person authorised under section 10 in such a way as to be likely to interfere with the due discharge of the functions of such officer under this Act.\n\nPenalty: $200.\n\n[Section 11 amended: No. 33 of 1972 s. 14; No. 28 of 1984 s. 53; No. 11 of 2016 s. 269.]\n\n[**12-12A.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 270.]\n\n[**13.** Deleted: No. 28 of 1984 s. 55.]\n\n[Part III (s. 15-26) Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 271.]\n\n## Part IIIA — Private hospitals\n\n[Heading inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22.]\n\n##### 26A. Terms used\n\nIn this Part —\n\n  body corporate includes any association of persons whether incorporated or not but does not include a partnership;\n\n  licence means a licence issued under this Part.\n\n[Section 26A inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22.]\n\n##### 26B. Licence to conduct private hospital\n\n(1) Any natural person or body corporate who or which desires to conduct a private hospital may apply and obtain a licence to conduct a private hospital.\n\n(2) Subject to this Act, a person not being a member of a firm or a body corporate who desires to obtain a licence to conduct a private hospital shall satisfy the CEO —\n\n(a) that he or she has attained the age of 18 years; and\n\n(b) that he or she is a person of good character and repute and a fit and proper person to conduct a private hospital; and\n\n(c) that he or she has sufficient material and financial resources available to him or her to comply with the requirements of this Act; and\n\n(d) that he or she understands fully the duties and obligations imposed on him or her in relation to the conduct of a private hospital under this Act and otherwise.\n\n(3) Subject to this Act, 2 or more persons constituting a firm who desire to obtain a licence to conduct a private hospital shall satisfy the CEO —\n\n(a) that all the natural persons by whom the firm is constituted and all of the persons concerned in the management or conduct of any body corporate by which the firm is constituted are persons of good character and repute and are persons fit to be concerned in the management or control of the private hospital;\n\n(b) that the persons by whom or by which the firm is constituted have sufficient material and financial resources available to them to enable them to comply with the requirements of this Act;\n\n(c) that at least one of the natural persons referred to in paragraph (a) understands fully the duties and obligations imposed in relation to the conduct of a private hospital under this Act and otherwise.\n\n(4) Subject to this Act, a body corporate that desires to obtain a licence to conduct a private hospital shall satisfy the CEO —\n\n(a) that all the natural persons concerned in the management or conduct of the applicant are persons of good character and repute and are persons fit to be concerned in the management or control of a private hospital; and\n\n(b) that the applicant has sufficient material and financial resources available to it to enable it to comply with the provisions of this Act; and\n\n(c) that at least one of the persons referred to in paragraph (a) understands fully the duties and obligations imposed in relation to the conduct and management of a private hospital under this Act and otherwise.\n\n[Section 26B inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n##### 26C. Premises to be approved etc. before licence granted\n\nThe CEO shall not grant a licence to conduct a private hospital unless he is satisfied —\n\n(a) that the proposed premises are suitable to be approved as a private hospital; and\n\n(b) that arrangements for the management, equipment and staffing of the private hospital are satisfactory.\n\n[Section 26C inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n##### 26D. Licence, grant and conditions of etc.\n\n(1) Where the CEO is satisfied that an applicant complies with the requirements of section 26B and the premises at which the applicant proposes to conduct the private hospital are satisfactory for that purpose and that the arrangements for the management, equipment and staffing of the private hospital are satisfactory he may grant a licence to the applicant.\n\n(2) The CEO may impose such terms and conditions as he thinks fit in relation to any licence granted under this section.\n\n(3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2) conditions imposed in relation to a private hospital may specify —\n\n(a) the maximum number of patients that may be treated at any one time at the private hospital and kinds or classes of patients that may be treated at the private hospital; and\n\n(b) the number and the categories of nursing and other staff, the kinds of nursing and other care that shall be provided or available at the private hospital and the periods and times at which they shall be provided or available.\n\n(4) Subject to subsection (5), the granting of a licence and the terms and conditions imposed in relation thereto under this section shall, subject to subsection (6), be in the discretion of the CEO.\n\n(5) When an application for a licence —\n\n(a) is in respect of premises that are not approved as premises for a hospital under this Part the CEO shall notify the applicant of his decision within 3 months of the day that the application for the licence is lodged at the office of the CEO;\n\n(b) is in respect of premises that are approved premises for a hospital under this Part the CEO shall notify the applicant of his decision within 30 days of the day that the application for the licence is lodged at the office of the CEO.\n\n(6) A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the CEO refusing to grant a licence may within 30 days of that decision appeal to the Minister.\n\n(7) The CEO may revoke or vary any terms or conditions or both that apply in relation to any licence issued under this Part.\n\n[Section 26D inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n##### 26DA. Private hospital not to treat etc. mentally ill unless licence endorsed\n\n(1) A person shall not conduct or manage a private hospital in which any person is detained for the treatment of mental illness unless the licence for that hospital is endorsed under this section.\n\nPenalty: $5 000.\n\n(2) A licence may be endorsed by the CEO to allow persons to be received and admitted to the hospital under the *Mental Health Act 2014* and to be detained as involuntary patients under that Act.\n\n(3A) The CEO cannot endorse a licence unless the Chief Psychiatrist recommends the endorsement.\n\n(3) An application may be made to the CEO for an endorsement under this section —\n\n(a) on the application for a licence; or\n\n(b) on an application under regulations referred to in subsection (5).\n\n(4) The CEO may make an endorsement under this section subject to any condition or restriction.\n\n(5) Regulations may be made under section 26O making provision for and in respect of applications for endorsements under this section, including the payment of fees in connection with the application.\n\n[Section 26DA inserted: No. 69 of 1996 s. 44; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264; No. 25 of 2014 s. 28.]\n\n##### 26E. Licence, duration and renewal of etc.\n\n(1) Subject to this Act, every licence is valid from the date of its being granted but may be surrendered or cancelled pursuant to this Part.\n\n(2) A licence may be renewed annually in accordance with the regulations.\n\n(3) A licence is not transferable.\n\n[Section 26E inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22.]\n\n##### 26F. Licence, cancelling etc.\n\n(1) Where the CEO is satisfied that —\n\n(a) the holder of a licence to conduct a private hospital is not fit to be concerned in or able to conduct a private hospital or, if the holder of a licence is a body corporate, any person concerned in the management or conduct of the body corporate is not fit to be concerned in or able to conduct a private hospital; or\n\n(b) the premises of a private hospital or any portion thereof are no longer suitable to be used as a private hospital; or\n\n(c) a licence holder does not comply with this Act or the terms or conditions imposed by the CEO in relation to the licence issued to him or it; or\n\n(d) a licence holder fails to carry out an order given under section 26G,\n\nthe CEO may cancel or refuse to renew the licence granted in respect of that licence holder.\n\n(2) A licence shall not be cancelled under subsection (1) unless and until a notice of intention to cancel the licence and summary of the reasons for the proposed cancellation have been served on the licence holder and the licence holder has been given a reasonable opportunity to be heard on the matter.\n\n[Section 26F inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n##### 26FA. Endorsement under s. 26DA, cancelling\n\n(1) The CEO may cancel an endorsement under section 26DA if he or she is satisfied that —\n\n(a) a private hospital is no longer suitable to have its licence endorsed under that section; or\n\n(b) the licence holder —\n\n(i) has contravened any provision of the *Mental Health Act 2014*; or\n\n(ii) failed to comply with any condition or restriction to which the endorsement is subject.\n\n(2A) The CEO must consult the Chief Psychiatrist before deciding whether or not to cancel an endorsement.\n\n(2) Section 26F(2) applies to a proposed cancellation under this section as it applies to the proposed cancellation of a licence.\n\n[Section 26FA inserted: No. 69 of 1996 s. 45; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264; No. 25 of 2014 s. 29.]\n\n##### 26G. CEO may close private hospital\n\n(1) Notwithstanding the fact that any premises are approved under this Part as premises for a private hospital where the CEO is satisfied that any building work in the private hospital has not been carried out in a workmanlike manner or that any part of the building is unsafe or unsatisfactory or that any equipment or thing is faulty or unsatisfactory the CEO may by order in writing direct the licence holder to have the building work remedied or to remedy or renew the faulty or unsatisfactory equipment or thing within such time as the CEO specifies in the order.\n\n(2) A licence holder who fails to comply with an order given under subsection (1) within the time specified in the order commits an offence.\n\nPenalty: $2 000.\n\n(3) Where a licence holder fails to comply with an order under subsection (1) within the time specified therein the CEO may order the closure of the private hospital notwithstanding the fact that proceedings for an offence against subsection (2) have not been commenced or if commenced have not been completed.\n\n(4) Notwithstanding anything in this section, the CEO may, if in the opinion of the CEO, the necessity of the case so requires, order any private hospital which the CEO deems unsafe to be closed forthwith and thereupon the hospital shall be closed accordingly until the CEO by order in writing permits the private hospital to be opened.\n\n[Section 26G inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n##### 26H. State Administrative Tribunal may review decisions under s. 26F and 26FA\n\n(1) A person whose licence to conduct a private hospital is cancelled or whose licence is not renewed under section 26F or whose endorsement under section 26DA is cancelled may apply to the State Administrative Tribunal for a review of the cancellation or non‑renewal.\n\n[(2) deleted]\n\n(3) Notwithstanding section 26K where the CEO has cancelled a licence or endorsement or refused to renew a licence under section 26F and the licence holder applies for a review of the cancellation of the licence or endorsement or refusal to renew the licence the CEO may pending the determination of the application permit a person to conduct the private hospital conducted by the licence holder prior to the cancellation or refusal subject to such terms and conditions as the CEO specifies in writing.\n\n[Section 26H inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 69 of 1996 s. 46; No. 55 of 2004 s. 517; No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n##### 26I. Grants and subsidies by State to private hospitals\n\n(1) The Governor may, out of moneys appropriated by Parliament, make grants or subsidies towards the costs of establishing or maintaining, or both, a private hospital in respect of which a licence is granted under this Part.\n\n(2) A grant or subsidy shall not be made or given under this section unless the licence holder agrees to conduct the private hospital in accordance with the regulations and such conditions as are imposed by the CEO and to comply with any directions given by the CEO.\n\n[Section 26I inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n##### 26J. Guidelines for construction etc. of private hospitals\n\n(1) The CEO may issue guidelines with respect to the construction, establishment and maintenance of private hospitals.\n\n(2) Guidelines issued under subsection (1) may —\n\n(a) specify standards to be observed and procedures to be followed in relation to the construction, establishment and maintenance of private hospitals;\n\n(b) adopt, either wholly or in part or with modifications and either specifically or by reference to any rules, regulations, codes, instructions or subsidiary legislation under any Act of the State or the Commonwealth or any standards, rules, codes or specifications of the bodies known as Standards Australia, the British Standards Institution or other body specified in the guidelines.\n\n[Section 26J inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 74 of 2003 s. 67(3); No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n##### 26K. Offences\n\nA person must not —\n\n(a) conduct or manage, or by any means hold out that the person conducts or manages, a private hospital unless —\n\n(i) the person is the holder of a licence; or\n\n(ii) the private hospital is a nursing home and the conduct or management of the nursing home is a residential care service, or part of a residential care service, that is certified under Part 2.6 of the *Aged Care Act 1997* of the Commonwealth;\n\nor\n\n(b) conduct or manage, or by any means hold out that that person conducts or manages, a private hospital unless —\n\n(i) the premises are premises that are approved as a private hospital under this Part; or\n\n(ii) the premises are a nursing home and the conduct or management of the nursing home is a residential care service, or part of a residential care service, that is certified under Part 2.6 of the *Aged Care Act 1997* of the Commonwealth;\n\nor\n\n(c) build, alter or extend a private hospital unless —\n\n(i) the CEO has approved of the building, alteration or extension, as the case requires; or\n\n(ii) the private hospital is a nursing home and the conduct or management of the nursing home is a residential care service, or part of a residential care service, that is certified under Part 2.6 of the *Aged Care Act 1997* of the Commonwealth.\n\nPenalty: $5 000.\n\n[Section 26K inserted: No. 45 of 2006 s. 4; amended: No. 47 of 2011 s. 27.]\n\n##### 26L. Failure to comply with licence conditions\n\nA licence holder who or which fails to comply with any term or condition specified in the licence issued to the licence holder commits an offence.\n\nPenalty: $1 000.\n\n[Section 26L inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22.]\n\n##### 26M. Liability of officers for offence by body corporate\n\n\t\t*The Criminal Code* section 39 (which provides for the criminal liability of officers of a body corporate) applies to an offence under a provision of this Act listed in the Table.\n\nTable\n\n| s. 26DA(1) | s. 26G(2) |\n| --- | --- |\n| s. 26K | s. 26L |\n\n\n[Section 26M inserted: No. 9 of 2023 s. 120.]\n\n##### 26N. Application for licence and licence, forms of\n\n(1) An application for a licence under this Part and any licence issued under this Part shall be in the form of a form approved by the CEO.\n\n(2) The CEO may require an applicant for a licence to submit such additional information in support of the application as the CEO specifies and the CEO may require any information in support of an application to be verified by statutory declaration.\n\n[Section 26N inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n##### 26O. Regulations\n\n(1) The Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by this Part or as he considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of this Part.\n\n(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may —\n\n(a) prescribe the fees payable in relation to an application for a licence to be paid to the CEO, for the renewal of any licence and for the approval of any premises as a private hospital;\n\n(b) provide for the conduct, good management and staffing of private hospitals;\n\n(c) provide for the establishment and keeping of registers containing such information as may be prescribed in relation to private hospitals;\n\n(d) provide for the separation or removal of any patient suffering from any fever or infectious or contagious disease;\n\n(e) prescribe penalties not exceeding $500 for a breach of any regulation.\n\n(3) The Governor may by order published in the *Government Gazette* exempt any private hospital from any of the regulations made under this section generally or for such period as is specified in the order.\n\n(4) An order made under subsection (3) may be cancelled or extended from time to time by the Governor by further order published in the *Government Gazette*.\n\n[Section 26O inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 22; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264.]\n\n## Part IIIB — Private psychiatric hostels\n\n[Heading inserted: No. 69 of 1996 s. 47.]\n\n##### 26P. Term used: resident\n\nIn this Part —\n\n  resident, in relation to a private psychiatric hostel, means a person —\n\n(a) who is socially dependent because of mental illness; and\n\n(b) who is residing and being cared for or treated in the hostel.\n\n[Section 26P inserted: No. 69 of 1996 s. 47; amended: No. 25 of 2014 s. 30; No. 11 of 2016 s. 272.]\n\n##### 26Q. Part IIIA, with modifications, applies to private psychiatric hostels\n\n(1) Subject to this section, Part IIIA applies to and in relation to private psychiatric hostels as if references in that Part to a private hospital were references to a private psychiatric hostel.\n\n(2) In its application under subsection (1) Part IIIA is modified as follows —\n\n(a) section 26D(3)(a) is to be read as if it referred to “the maximum number of residents who may reside in a private psychiatric hostel at any one time and the kinds or classes of residents that may be cared for or treated at the private psychiatric hostel”; and\n\n(b) section 26DA does not apply; and\n\n(c) in section 26O(2)(d) the reference to “patient” is to be read as “resident”; and\n\n(d) section 26O is to be read as authorising the making of regulations —\n\n(i) prescribing, in relation to residents of private psychiatric hostels who are in receipt of pension payable under laws of the Commonwealth, the minimum proportion of pension that is to be paid or remitted to the resident for his or her own use; and\n\n(ii) prescribing returns and other particulars to be furnished to the Chief Psychiatrist.\n\n[Section 26Q inserted: No. 69 of 1996 s. 47; amended: No. 25 of 2014 s. 31.]\n\n## Part IIIC — Information\n\n[Heading inserted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 273.]\n\n##### 26R. Purpose for collecting, using or disclosing information\n\nThe purpose for which the CEO may collect, use or disclose information under this Part is to assist in —\n\n[(a), (c) deleted]\n\n(b) the regulation of private hospitals and private psychiatric hostels; and\n\n(d) health related research, whether that research is conducted by persons employed or engaged in the Department or other persons.\n\n[Section 26R inserted: No. 61 of 2004 s. 14; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264; No. 11 of 2016 s. 274.]\n\n##### 26S. CEO may direct private hospital service provider to give information\n\n(1) The CEO may direct a private hospital service provider to give to the CEO the information specified in the direction.\n\n(2) The information specified may include personal information.\n\n(3) The CEO may not specify information in a direction unless —\n\n(a) the information relates to hospital, health or psychiatric services provided to individuals by the private hospital service provider; and\n\n(b) the CEO is satisfied that collecting the information is consistent with the purpose for which information may be collected under this Part.\n\n(4) The direction may specify the information by reference to a class of information and may specify the form in which it is to be given.\n\n(5) The private hospital service provider must comply with the direction.\n\n(6) A direction may be given in relation to information obtained by the private hospital service provider before the commencement of this Part.\n\n(7) A particular direction may be given to one or more named private hospital service providers, one or more classes of private hospital service providers, or all private hospital service providers.\n\n(8) In this section —\n\npersonal information means information or an opinion, whether true or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.\n\n[Section 26S inserted: No. 61 of 2004 s. 14; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264; No. 11 of 2016 s. 275.]\n\n##### 26T. No liability for disclosure\n\nIf a private hospital service provider discloses information in compliance with a direction under section 26S —\n\n(a) no civil or criminal liability is incurred in respect of the disclosure; and\n\n(b) the disclosure is not to be regarded as —\n\n(i) a breach of any duty of confidentiality or secrecy imposed by law; or\n\n(ii) a breach of professional ethics or standards or any principles of conduct applicable to a person’s employment; or\n\n(iii) unprofessional conduct.\n\n[Section 26T inserted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 276.]\n\n## Part IV — General\n\n[**27.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 277.]\n\n[**28.** Deleted: No. 33 of 1972 s. 25.]\n\n[**29.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 277.]\n\n[**30.** Deleted: No. 33 of 1972 s. 26.]\n\n[**31-31A.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 277.]\n\n[**32.** Deleted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 25.]\n\n[**33.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 277.]\n\n[**33A‑33C.** Deleted: No. 17 of 1996 s. 11.]\n\n[**34-35.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 277.]\n\n##### 35A. Protection from personal liability\n\n(1) An action in tort does not lie against a person for anything that the person has done, in good faith, in the performance or purported performance of a function under this Act.\n\n(2) The protection given by this section applies even though the thing done as described in subsection (1) may have been capable of being done whether or not this Act had been enacted.\n\n(3) Despite subsection (1), the State is not relieved of any liability that it might have for another person having done any thing as described in that subsection.\n\n(4) In this section, a reference to the doing of anything includes a reference to an omission to do anything.\n\n[Section 35A inserted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 278.]\n\n[**35B-36.** Deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 279.]\n\n##### 37. Regulations\n\n(1) The Governor may make regulations for or with respect to any matter, whether general or to meet a particular case, that is requisite or expedient to give effect to the purposes of this Act.\n\n[(2)-(2g) deleted]\n\n(3) Regulations may be made under this section —\n\n(a) so as to apply —\n\n(i) at all times or at a specified time or at specified times; and\n\n(ii) throughout the State or in a specified part or specified parts of the State; and\n\n(iii) generally or in a particular class of case or in particular classes of cases;\n\nand\n\n(b) so as to require a matter affected by them to be —\n\n(i) in accordance with a specified standard or specified requirement; or\n\n(ii) as approved by, or to the satisfaction of, a specified person or body or a specified class of person or body;\n\nand\n\n(c) so as to confer on a specified person or body or a specified class of person or body a discretionary authority; and\n\n(d) so as to provide that, whether on specified conditions or unconditionally, persons or things or a class or classes of persons or things may be exempted from the provisions of the regulations, either wholly or to such extent as is specified; and\n\n(e) so as to impose a penalty not exceeding $50 for any breach of the regulations.\n\n(4) In subsection (3) specified means specified in the regulations.\n\n[Section 37 inserted: No. 33 of 1972 s. 30; amended: No. 64 of 1980 s. 5; No. 43 of 1981 s. 4; No. 85 of 1983 s. 9; No. 28 of 1984 s. 56; No. 53 of 1985 s. 29; No. 73 of 1994 s. 4; No. 17 of 1996 s. 13; No. 28 of 2006 s. 264; No. 19 of 2010 s. 51; No. 11 of 2016 s. 280.]\n\n##### 38. Review of Act\n\n(1) The Minister shall carry out a review of the operation of this Act as soon as is practicable after 1 January 1991 and every fifth anniversary of that date and in the course of such review the Minister shall consider and have regard to —\n\n(a) the attainment of the objects of this Act;\n\n(b) the administration of this Act;\n\n(c) the effectiveness of the operations of the Minister, the Department, the CEO and authorised persons under this Act;\n\n[(d) deleted]\n\n(e) such other matters as appear to the Minister to be relevant.\n\n(2) The Minister shall prepare a report based on the review referred to in subsection (1) and shall, as soon as is practicable after its preparation, cause the report to be laid before each House of Parliament.\n\n[Section 38 inserted: No. 53 of 1985 s. 30; amended: No. 28 of 2006 s. 264; No. 11 of 2016 s. 281.]\n\n[Schedule deleted: No. 11 of 2016 s. 282.]\n\n![dline]()\n\nNotes\n\nThis is a compilation of the *Private Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927* and includes amendments made by other written laws 1, 2. For provisions that have come into operation, and for information about any reprints, see the compilation table.\n\nCompilation table\n\n| **Short title** | **Number and year** | **Assent** | **Commencement** |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| *Hospitals Act 1927* 3 | 23 of 1927   (18 Geo. V No. 23) | 23 Dec 1927 | 1 Jan 1928 (see s. 1) |\n| *Hospitals Act Amendment Act 1948* | 9 of 1948   (12 Geo. VI No. 9) | 11 Nov 1948 | 11 Nov 1948 |\n| *Hospitals Act Amendment Act 1953* | 16 of 1953   (2 Eliz. II No. 16) | 20 Nov 1953 | 20 Nov 1953 |\n| *Hospitals Act Amendment Act 1955* | 51 of 1955   (4 Eliz. II No. 51) | 9 Dec 1955 | 9 Dec 1955 |\n| **Reprint of the** ***Hospitals Act 1927* approved 14 Aug 1961 in Volume 15 of Reprinted Acts** (includes amendments listed above) | | | |\n| *Decimal Currency Act 1965* | 113 of 1965 | 21 Dec 1965 | Act other than s. 4‑9: 21 Dec 1965 (see s. 2(1));   s. 4‑9: 14 Feb 1966 (see s. 2(2)) |\n| *Hospitals Act Amendment Act 1969* | 89 of 1969 | 17 Nov 1969 | 17 Nov 1969 |\n| *Hospitals Act Amendment Act 1972* | 33 of 1972 | 16 Jun 1972 | 30 Jun 1972 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 30 Jun 1972 p. 2098‑9) |\n| **Reprint of the** ***Hospitals Act 1927* approved 11 Dec 1972** (includes amendments listed above) | | | |\n| *Hospitals Act Amendment Act 1973* | 10 of 1973 | 25 May 1973 | 25 May 1973 |\n| *Hospitals Act Amendment Act 1975* | 104 of 1975 | 1 Dec 1975 | 1 Dec 1975 |\n| *Hospitals Act Amendment Act 1976* | 71 of 1976 | 6 Oct 1976 | 6 Oct 1976 |\n| *Hospitals Amendment Act 1980* | 64 of 1980 | 26 Nov 1980 | 8 Jul 1983 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 8 Jul 1983 p. 2475) |\n| *Hospitals Amendment Act 1981* | 43 of 1981 | 26 Aug 1981 | 1 Sep 1981 (see s. 2) |\n| *Acts Amendment (Statutory Designations) and Validation Act 1981* s. 4 | 63 of 1981 | 13 Oct 1981 | 13 Oct 1981 |\n| *Hospitals Amendment Act 1982* | 84 of 1982 | 15 Nov 1982 | 15 Nov 1982 |\n| *Hospitals Amendment Act 1983* | 85 of 1983 | 22 Dec 1983 | Act other than s. 3‑9: 22 Dec 1983 (see s. 2(1));   s. 3‑9: 1 Feb 1984 (see s. 2(2) and *Gazette* 20 Jan 1984 p. 120) |\n| *Health Legislation Amendment Act 1984* Pt. X | 28 of 1984 | 31 May 1984 | 1 Jul 1984 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 15 Jun 1984 p. 1629) |\n| *Acts Amendment (Hospitals) Act 1985* Pt. III | 53 of 1985 (as amended by No. 55 of 2004 s. 518) | 5 Nov 1985 | 23 Jan 1987 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 23 Jan 1987 p. 179) |\n| *Acts Amendment (Financial Administration and Audit) Act 1985* s. 3 | 98 of 1985 | 4 Dec 1985 | 1 Jul 1986 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 30 Jun 1986 p. 2255) |\n| *Acts Amendment (Public Service) Act 1987* s. 32 | 113 of 1987 | 31 Dec 1987 | 16 Mar 1988 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 16 Mar 1988 p. 813) |\n| *Guardianship and Administration Act 1990* s. 123 | 24 of 1990 | 7 Sep 1990 | 20 Oct 1992 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 2 Oct 1992 p. 4811) |\n| **Reprint of the** ***Hospitals Act 1927* as at 22 Apr 1993** (includes amendments listed above) | | | |\n| *Financial Administration Legislation Amendment Act 1993* s. 11 | 6 of 1993 | 27 Aug 1993 | 1 Jul 1993 (see s. 2(1)) |\n| *Acts Amendment (Health Services Integration) Act 1994* Pt. 2 | 49 of 1994 | 10 Oct 1994 | 10 Oct 1994 (see s. 2) |\n| *Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 1994* s. 4 | 73 of 1994 | 9 Dec 1994 | 9 Dec 1994 (see s. 2) |\n| *Hospitals Amendment Act 1994* | 103 of 1994 | 11 Jan 1995 | s. 1 and 2: 11 Jan 1995;   s. 3 and Pt. 2 and 3: 3 Feb 1995 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 3 Feb 1995 p. 333) |\n| *Local Government (Consequential Amendments) Act 1996* s. 4 | 14 of 1996 | 28 Jun 1996 | 1 Jul 1996 (see s. 2) |\n| *Hospitals and Health Services Amendment Act 1996* | 17 of 1996 | 2 Jul 1996 | s. 1 and 2: 2 Jul 1996;   Act other than s. 1 and 2: 18 Sep 1996 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 17 Sep 1996 p. 4691) |\n| *Financial Legislation Amendment Act 1996* s. 64 | 49 of 1996 | 25 Oct 1996 | 25 Oct 1996 (see s. 2(1)) |\n| *Mental Health (Consequential Provisions) Act 1996* Pt. 10 | 69 of 1996 | 13 Nov 1996 | 13 Nov 1997 (see s. 2) |\n| *Acts Amendment (Land Administration) Act 1997* Pt. 32 | 31 of 1997 | 3 Oct 1997 | 30 Mar 1998 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 27 Mar 1998 p. 1765) |\n| *Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 1997* s. 74(3) 4 | 57 of 1997 | 15 Dec 1997 | 15 Dec 1997 (see s. 2(1)) |\n| *Acts Amendment and Repeal (Financial Sector Reform) Act 1999* s. 86 | 26 of 1999 | 29 Jun 1999 | 1 Jul 1999 (see s. 2(1) and *Gazette* 30 Jun 1999 p. 2905) |\n| **Reprint of the** ***Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927* as at 15 Oct 1999** (includes amendments listed above) | | | |\n| *Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 2000* s. 18 | 24 of 2000 | 4 Jul 2000 | 4 Jul 2000 (see s. 2) |\n| *State Superannuation (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2000* s. 48(1) 8 | 43 of 2000 (as amended by No. 11 of 2016 s. 304) | 2 Nov 2000 | 17 Feb 2001 (see s. 2(2) and *Gazette* 16 Feb 2001 p. 903) |\n| *Hospitals and Health Services Amendment Act 2002* 5 | 17 of 2002 | 8 Jul 2002 | 8 Jul 2002 (see s. 2) |\n| *Acts Amendment (Equality of Status) Act 2003* s. 119 | 28 of 2003 | 22 May 2003 | 1 Jul 2003 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 30 Jun 2003 p. 2579) |\n| *Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 2003* s. 67 and 146(2) | 74 of 2003 | 15 Dec 2003 | 15 Dec 2003 (see s. 2) |\n| *Workers’ Compensation Reform Act 2004* s. 161 | 42 of 2004 | 9 Nov 2004 | 14 Nov 2005 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 31 Dec 2004 p. 7131 and 17 Jun 2005 p. 2657);   Para (b) of proclamation published 31 Dec 2004 p. 7131 revoked (see *Gazette* 17 Jun 2005 p. 2657) |\n| *State Administrative Tribunal (Conferral of Jurisdiction) Amendment and Repeal Act 2004* Pt. 2 Div. 63 Subdiv. 1 6 | 55 of 2004 | 24 Nov 2004 | 1 Jan 2005 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 31 Dec 2004 p. 7130) |\n| *Health Legislation Amendment Act 2004* Pt. 4 | 61 of 2004 | 24 Nov 2004 | 24 Nov 2004 (see s. 2) |\n| **Reprint 5: The** ***Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927* as at 26 Aug 2005** (includes amendments listed above except those in the *Workers’ Compensation Reform Act 2004*) | | | |\n| *Machinery of Government (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2006* Pt. 9 Div. 6 7 | 28 of 2006 | 26 Jun 2006 | 1 Jul 2006 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 27 Jun 2006 p. 2347) |\n| *Hospitals and Health Services Amendment Act 2006* | 45 of 2006 | 4 Oct 2006 | 4 Oct 2006 (see s. 2) |\n| *Financial Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2006* s. 4 and Sch. 1 cl. 86 | 77 of 2006 | 21 Dec 2006 | 1 Feb 2007 (see s. 2(1) and *Gazette* 19 Jan 2007 p. 137) |\n| *Duties Legislation Amendment Act 2008* Sch. 1 cl. 16 | 12 of 2008 | 14 Apr 2008 | 1 Jul 2008 (see s. 2(d)) |\n| *Medical Practitioners Act 2008* Sch. 3 cl. 27 | 22 of 2008 | 27 May 2008 | 1 Dec 2008 (see s. 2 and *Gazette* 25 Nov 2008 p. 4989) |\n| **Reprint 6: The** ***Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927* as at 13 Feb 2009** (includes amendments listed above) | | | |\n| *Statutes (Repeals and Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2009* s. 13 | 8 of 2009 | 21 May 2009 | 22 May 2009 (see s. 2(b)) |\n| *Acts Amendment (Bankruptcy) Act 2009* s. 43 | 18 of 2009 | 16 Sep 2009 | 17 Sep 2009 (see s. 2(b)) |\n| *Standardisation of Formatting Act 2010* s. 4 and 51 | 19 of 2010 | 28 Jun 2010 | 11 Sep 2010 (see s. 2(b) and *Gazette* 10 Sep 2010 p. 4341) |\n| *Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Act 2010* Pt. 5 Div. 26 | 35 of 2010 | 30 Aug 2010 | 18 Oct 2010 (see s. 2(b) and *Gazette* 1 Oct 2010 p. 5075‑6) |\n| *Public Sector Reform Act 2010* s. 89 | 39 of 2010 | 1 Oct 2010 | 1 Dec 2010 (see s. 2(b) and *Gazette* 5 Nov 2010 p. 5563) |\n| *Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 2011* s. 16 and 27 | 47 of 2011 | 25 Oct 2011 | 26 Oct 2011 (see s. 2(b)) |\n| **Reprint 7: The** ***Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927* as at 27 Jan 2012** (includes amendments listed above) | | | |\n| *National Health Funding Pool Act 2012* Pt. 7 | 44 of 2012 | 20 Nov 2012 | 15 Dec 2012 (see s. 2(b) and *Gazette* 14 Dec 2012 p. 6195) |\n| *Mental Health Legislation Amendment Act 2014* Pt. 4 Div. 3 | 25 of 2014 | 3 Nov 2014 | 30 Nov 2015 (see s. 2(b) and *Gazette* 13 Nov 2015 p. 4632) |\n| *Health Services Act 2016* Pt. 20 Div. 1 | 11 of 2016 | 26 May 2016 | 1 Jul 2016 (see s. 2(b) and *Gazette* 24 Jun 2016 p. 2291) |\n| *Public Health (Consequential Provisions) Act 2016* Pt. 3 Div. 23 | 19 of 2016 | 25 Jul 2016 | 24 Jan 2017 (see s. 2(1)(c) and *Gazette* 10 Jan 2017 p. 165) |\n| **Reprint 8: The *Private Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927* as at 21 Oct 2016** (includes amendments listed above except the *Public Health (Consequential Provisions) Act 2016*) | | | |\n| *Directors’ Liability Reform Act 2023* Pt. 3 Div. 48 | 9 of 2023 | 4 Apr 2023 | 5 Apr 2023 (see s. 2(j)) |\n\n\nOther notes\n\n1 The *Courts Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2004* Sch. 2 cl. 25 was deleted by the *Criminal Law and Evidence Amendment Act 2008* s. 77(13).\n\n2 The *Hospitals and Health Services Amendment Act 2013* s. 3‑7 had not come into operation when they were deleted by the *Health Services Act 2016* s. 283.\n\n3 The short title was initially the *Hospitals Act 1927* and was subsequently changed to the *Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927* then to the *Private Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927* (see note under s. 1).\n\n4 The amendments in the *Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 1997* s. 74(1) and (2) are not included because the subsections they sought to amend were amended by the *Mental Health (Consequential Provisions) Act 1996* s. 42 before the amendments purported to come into operation.\n\n5 The *Hospitals and Health Services Amendment Act 2002* s. 8 reads as follows:\n\n8. Validation\n\n(1) In this section —\n\nagency has the same meaning as it has in the *Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927*.\n\n(2) Anything done or purporting to have been done by an agency for the purposes referred to in section 7B(1) of the *Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927* is, and is taken always to have been, as valid and effective as it would have been if the amendments to that Act in sections 5 and 6 had at all relevant times been made.\n\n6 The *State Administrative Tribunal (Conferral of Jurisdiction) Amendment and Repeal Act 2004* Pt. 5, the *State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004* s. 167 and 169, and the *State Administrative Tribunal Regulations 2004* r. 28 and 42 deal with certain transitional issues some of which may be relevant for this Act.\n\n7 The *Machinery of Government (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2006* Pt. 9 Div. 13 reads as follows:\n\nDivision 13 — Transitional provisions\n\n289. Commissioner of Health\n\n(1) A thing done or omitted to be done by, to or in relation to, the Commissioner of Health before commencement under, or for the purposes of, an enactment has the same effect after commencement, to the extent that it has any force or significance after commencement, as if it had been done or omitted by, to or in relation to, the CEO.\n\n(2) In this section —\n\n  CEO has the meaning given by section 3 of the *Health Legislation Administration Act 1984* as in force after commencement;\n\ncommencement means the time at which this Division comes into operation;\n\n  Commissioner of Health means the Commissioner of Health referred to in section 6(1)(a) of the *Health Legislation Administration Act 1984* as in force before commencement.\n\n8 The *State Superannuation (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2000* s. 48(2) was deleted by the *Health Services Act 2016* s. 304.\n\nDefined terms\n\n*[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]*\n\n**Defined term Provision(s)**\n\nbody corporate 26A\n\nCEO 2(1)\n\nChief Psychiatrist 2(1)\n\nDepartment 2(1)\n\nhealth service 2(1)\n\nhospital 2(1)\n\nlicence 26A\n\nmedical practitioner 2(1)\n\nmental illness 2(1)\n\nnursing home 2(1)\n\npersonal information 26S(8)\n\nprivate hospital 2(1)\n\nprivate hospital service provider 2(1)\n\nprivate non‑profit hospital 2(1)\n\nprivate psychiatric hostel 2(1)\n\npublic hospital 2(1)\n\nresident 26P\n\nspecified 37(4)\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s scope has changed from an early, broader hospitals statute to a focused regime for private hospitals and private psychiatric hostels. The current text creates a discrete licensing and approval system (Part IIIA: s.26B–26O) and a separate, modified application to psychiatric hostels (Part IIIB: s.26P–26Q). It now explicitly links to and operates alongside more recent health statutes (definitions in s.2 reference the Health Services Act 2016 and the Mental Health Act 2014) and adds information‑collection powers (Part IIIC: s.26R–26T) and modernised enforcement, appeals and administrative review pathways (s.26F, s.26H). The compilation and amendment history in the notes shows multiple insertions and deletions over time (see compilation table and insertion notes for Part IIIA and Part IIIC), indicating a substantive narrowing and re‑tooling of the statute’s regulatory focus."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross‑references to other Acts (Health Services Act 2016, Mental Health Act 2014, Health Legislation Administration Act 1984) which affect definitions and interaction with other regulatory regimes (s.2, s.4).","Multiple decision‑makers with distinct powers and conditionality: CEO (licensing, inspections, closures), Chief Psychiatrist (must recommend endorsement s.26DA(3A)), Minister (administration, payments s.7A), Governor (grants, regulations exemptions s.26I, s.26O(3)).","High degree of executive/regulatory discretion: CEO may impose licence conditions, vary or cancel licences, and order closures (s.26D(2)–(4), s.26F, s.26G).","Dual regulatory tracks and specialised endorsements for psychiatric care: separate endorsement regime for involuntary mental health patients (s.26DA) and modified provisions for private psychiatric hostels (s.26Q).","Detailed compliance and enforcement regime with specific monetary penalties for multiple breaches (s.11, s.26DA(1), s.26K, s.26L, s.26G(2)).","Information‑gathering powers that include personal data and statutory protections for disclosure (s.26S–26T), requiring data governance and legal interpretation.","Regulations and guidelines layer: CEO guidelines may adopt external standards and regulations can create exemptions, fees, and further obligations (s.26J, s.26O, s.37).","Non‑transferability of licences and procedural requirements for applications and renewals add transactional complexity (s.26E(3), s.26N).","Numerous historical amendments and deletions reflected in the Act (compilation notes) which complicate interpretation of current scope and transitional matters (Compilation table, notes)."],"plain_english_summary":"# What this law does\n\nThis Act regulates private hospitals and private psychiatric hostels in Western Australia. It creates a licensing and approval system for anyone who wants to run a private hospital or private psychiatric hostel, gives enforcement and inspection powers to the health regulator, sets penalties for breaches, authorises certain payments and grants, and allows the regulator to collect information from private providers for regulatory and research purposes.\n\n- Licensing and approvals: Individuals, firms and corporations must obtain a licence from the CEO to conduct a private hospital (s.26B, s.26C, s.26D). Licences can carry conditions (for example limits on patient numbers and staffing requirements) (s.26D(2)–(3)), are renewable annually (s.26E(2)), and are not transferable (s.26E(3)). A separate endorsement is required to receive or detain involuntary mental health patients under the Mental Health Act (s.26DA(1)–(3A)).\n\n- Entry, inspection and enforcement powers: Persons authorised by the CEO may visit and inspect a private hospital and, if a medical practitioner and on complaint, examine patients (s.10). The CEO may require remedial work, close unsafe hospitals immediately, and order closures where licence conditions are breached (s.26G). The CEO may cancel or refuse to renew licences where holders are unfit, premises are unsuitable, offences or non‑compliance occur, or orders are disobeyed (s.26F). Appeals/reviews against refusals or cancellations are available to the Minister (s.26D(6)) and to the State Administrative Tribunal (s.26H).\n\n- Offences and penalties: Operating without a licence or without approved premises, building or altering without CEO approval, failing to comply with licence conditions, obstructing authorised inspections, and unlawful treatment of mentally ill patients without endorsement attract set penalties (see s.26K, s.26L, s.11, s.26DA(1), s.26G(2)). Examples: obstruction under s.11 attracts $200; operating without endorsement to detain mentally ill patients carries $5,000 (s.26DA(1)); non‑compliance with licence conditions $1,000 (s.26L); certain breaches under s.26K $5,000; failure to comply with remedial order $2,000 (s.26G(2)).\n\n- Financial and administrative powers: The Minister may (with Treasurer approval in some cases) make payments to religious or charitable organisations to defray interest on approved projects and may subsidise patients unable to pay reasonable fees (s.7A). The Governor may make grants or subsidies to licensed private hospitals subject to conditions and CEO directions (s.26I).\n\n- Information powers and protections: The CEO may direct private hospital service providers to provide specified information, including personal information, where it relates to hospital, health or psychiatric services and is consistent with the Act’s purposes (s.26S). Providers who comply with such directions are protected from civil or criminal liability and breaches of confidentiality or professional standards in respect of that disclosure (s.26T). The statutory purposes for information collection include regulation of private hospitals and health‑related research (s.26R).\n\n- Guidance and regulation: The CEO may issue construction, staffing and maintenance guidelines (which may adopt external standards) (s.26J). The Governor may make regulations to detail licensing fees, management, registers, infectious disease handling, exemptions and penalties for breaches of regulations (s.26O, s.37).\n\n# Who is affected\n\n- People or organisations that want to open, run or manage a private hospital or private psychiatric hostel: they must meet fit‑and‑proper and financial/resource tests (s.26B), get premises approved (s.26C), accept licence conditions (s.26D), and comply with building, staffing and management requirements (s.26J, s.26O).\n- Licence holders: face compliance obligations, inspection and closure powers, possible licence cancellation (s.26F, s.26G) and criminal/civil exposure for breaches (s.26K, s.26L, s.26M). Licence holders seeking to treat and detain involuntary psychiatric patients must obtain endorsement and the Chief Psychiatrist must recommend endorsement before the CEO may endorse a licence (s.26DA(2)–(3A)).\n- Private hospital service providers: may be required to supply operational and personal information to the CEO and are legally protected when they comply with those directions (s.26S–26T).\n- Patients/residents: are subject to inspection and, where applicable, examination on complaint (s.10). Where Mental Health Act arrangements apply, those provisions govern (s.4).\n- The CEO, Minister, Governor and Chief Psychiatrist: these officials have decision‑making, enforcement, financial and advisory roles (s.5, s.7A, s.26D, s.26G, s.26DA(3A), s.26I).\n\n# Why this matters — stated purpose and practical trade‑offs\n\nThe Act’s stated purpose is to provide for the control and regulation of private hospitals and private psychiatric hostels (long title). It does this by creating licencing, inspection, information‑gathering and enforcement mechanisms (Part IIIA, Part IIIC). The practical effects and trade‑offs are: \n\n- Compliance costs and operational constraints fall on providers: licence applications, premises approval, adherence to licence conditions (including staff and patient limits), building approvals and potential remedial works (s.26B–26D, s.26C, s.26J, s.26G). These are predictable costs of operating under the Act (s.26N). Failure to comply attracts monetary penalties (s.26K, s.26L, s.26G(2), s.26DA(1)).\n\n- Entry and exit are administratively controlled: licences are discretionary, subject to CEO conditions (s.26D(4)), are non‑transferable (s.26E(3)), and may be refused or cancelled (s.26F). Appeals are available but decisionmakers exercise initial discretion (s.26D(6), s.26H). That structure influences business planning and ownership arrangements.\n\n- Discretion concentrated in regulator and executive: the CEO has broad powers to grant, condition, vary and cancel licences and to close unsafe hospitals (s.26D, s.26G). Regulations and Governor orders can exempt hospitals from regulatory requirements (s.26O(3)), and the Minister and Treasurer control certain payments (s.7A). Those delegated powers shape how rules are applied in practice and create areas where agency decisions determine outcomes.\n\n- Targeted financial support with conditions: the Minister/Treasurer and the Governor may provide payments, subsidies and grants (s.7A, s.26I). Such funding is conditional on compliance with regulations and CEO directions (s.26I(2)). This concentrates benefits on recipients while imposing compliance obligations tied to funding.\n\n- Information collection balanced by legal protections: the CEO can direct providers to supply operational and personal information relevant to health services (s.26S) and providers who comply are shielded from civil/criminal liability and confidentiality complaints for that disclosure (s.26T). That arrangement lowers legal risk for disclosure but imposes data‑handling and reporting obligations on providers.\n\n# Implementation risks and incentives\n\n- Administrative burden: licence application requirements, possible statutory declarations, recurring renewals and compliance checks create ongoing administrative work for providers (s.26N, s.26E(2)).\n- Business decisions influenced by licence terms: ability to specify patient numbers and staff categories (s.26D(3)) affects scale, services offered and staffing models.\n- Regulatory enforcement risk: CEO powers to order remedial works and close premises (s.26G) mean providers face immediate operational risk where physical or equipment standards are judged unsafe.\n- Legal route for challenge: operators can seek a Ministerial appeal (s.26D(6)) or SAT review (s.26H), so there is an administrative review path where licences are refused or cancelled.\n\nSections cited above: s.1; s.2; s.4; s.5; s.7A; s.10; s.11; s.26A–26O (Part IIIA); s.26DA; s.26E; s.26F; s.26FA; s.26G; s.26H; s.26I; s.26J; s.26K; s.26L; s.26M; s.26N; s.26O; s.26P–26Q (Part IIIB); s.26R–26T (Part IIIC); s.35A; s.37; s.38."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Originally enacted as the 'Hospitals Act 1927' covering both public and private hospitals, the Act has been significantly narrowed and repurposed over time. The 2016 amendments removed all provisions relating to public hospitals (transferred to the Health Services Act 2016), leaving only private hospitals and adding private psychiatric hostels (1996) and information collection powers (2004/2016). The Act has transformed from a general hospital statute to a specific private healthcare facility licensing regime."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms (15 defined terms) with many referencing external legislation (Health Services Act 2016, Mental Health Act 2014, etc.)","Nested application provisions - Part IIIB applies Part IIIA to psychiatric hostels 'with modifications' requiring cross-referencing","Conditional licensing logic with different requirements for individuals, firms, and body corporates (sections 26B(2)-(4))","Dual regulatory framework - original hospital regulation overlaid with later psychiatric hostel provisions (1996) and information provisions (2004/2016)","Extensive amendment history visible in the text (multiple 'deleted' sections and insertion notes) creating fragmentation","Interaction with Commonwealth Aged Care Act 1997 for nursing homes (exemptions in section 26K)","Multiple penalty provisions with varying amounts ($200 to $5,000)","Regulatory powers scattered across sections 26O (Part IIIA regulations) and 37 (general regulations)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis is Western Australia's main law for regulating **private hospitals** and **private psychiatric hostels** (group homes for people with mental illness). It sets up a licensing system to ensure these facilities are safe, properly staffed, and financially viable.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Private hospital operators** – anyone running a private hospital (including nursing homes and psychiatric facilities) must get a licence from the CEO of the Department of Health\n- **Patients and residents** – people receiving care in these facilities\n- **Mental health patients** – those detained for mental illness treatment need special endorsement on the hospital's licence\n- **Charitable organisations** – religious or charitable groups running non-profit hospitals can apply for government subsidies\n\n**Key requirements:**\n\n- **Licence needed** – You cannot operate a private hospital without a licence. The CEO checks that applicants are \"fit and proper\" people, have enough money, and understand their obligations\n- **Premises approval** – Buildings must be suitable, safe, and properly equipped\n- **Conditions apply** – Licences can limit how many patients you treat, what types of care you provide, and staffing levels\n- **Mental health endorsement** – Special permission needed to treat people detained under mental health laws (requires Chief Psychiatrist's recommendation)\n- **Inspections** – Authorised officers can visit, inspect premises, and medically examine patients (with notice to the patient's doctor)\n- **Information gathering** – The CEO can demand information from hospital operators for regulatory purposes or health research\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis law protects vulnerable people receiving medical and psychiatric care by ensuring facilities meet basic standards. It prevents unqualified operators from running hospitals, gives the government power to close unsafe facilities, and creates accountability through licensing conditions and penalties for non-compliance (up to $5,000 for serious offences).\n\n**Special features:**\n\n- **Private psychiatric hostels** are regulated using the same rules as private hospitals, with some modifications\n- **Protection from liability** for officials acting in good faith\n- **Review rights** – Licence cancellations can be appealed to the State Administrative Tribunal"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/hospitals-act-1927","history":"/api/acts/hospitals-act-1927/history","analysis":"/api/acts/hospitals-act-1927/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/hospitals-act-1927/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/hospitals-act-1927/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/hospitals-act-1927/documents"}}